Medical Treatments for Prostate Cancer

There are many different medical treatments for prostate cancer that involve the clinical care of a healthcare professional. These treatments include expectant therapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Expectant therapy is to carefully observe and monitor the prostate cancer. Because prostate cancer cells often spread very slowly, many older men who have the disease may not need more extensive treatment. However, expectant therapy usually includes routine physician examinations, including digital rectal exams and PSA tests. The different types of surgery for prostate cancer are radical prostatectomy - an open-surgery procedure in which the entire prostate gland and surrounding tissue are removed. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) - surgery to remove part of the prostate gland that surrounds the urethra. Cryosurgery - this procedure involves killing the cancer cells by freezing them with a small metal tool placed in the tumor. Side effects of prostate cancer surgery include incontinence and impotence. Incontinence is the inability to control urine and may result in dribbling of urine, especially immediately after surgery. Normal control usually returns within weeks or months after surgery. Impotence is the inability to achieve an erection. For a month, or so, after surgery, most men are not able to get an erection. Eventually, approximately 40 to 60 percent of men will be able to get an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, but without ejaculation of semen, since removal of the prostate gland prevents that process.

Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells, and to decrease their ability to divide. Radiation is often used to treat prostate cancer that is still confined to the prostate gland, or has spread only to nearby tissue. If the disease is advanced, radiation may be used to reduce the size of the tumor and to provide relief from symptoms. Possible side effects of radiation for prostate cancer may include diarrhea, with or without blood in the stool, and colitis, problems associated with urination, a degree of impotence (inability to get an erection), which may occur within two years of radiation therapy.

The goal of hormone therapy is to lower the level of male hormones in the body, particularly testosterone. Hormone therapy does not cure the cancer, and is often used to treat persons whose cancer has spread or recurred after treatment. Produced mainly in the testicles, testosterone causes prostate cancer cells to grow. Thus, reduced testosterone levels can make the prostate cancer shrink and become less active. Most studies show that hormone therapy works better if it is started early. Chemotherapy is the use of powerful, anti-cancer medications to kill cancer cells.. Hospitalization may be needed to monitor treatment and chemotherapy's side effects. Common side effects of chemotherapy include: nausea and vomiting, hair loss, anemia, reduced ability of blood to clot, mouth sores, increased likelihood of developing infections, fatigue. Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped.

definition of prostate cancer
Definition: cancer, prostate from Online Medical Dictionary
The Online Medical Dictionary is a searchable dictionary of definitions from medicine, science and technology.

prostate cancer - definition of prostate cancer by the Free Online
Definition of prostate cancer in the Online Dictionary. Meaning of prostate cancer. What does prostate cancer mean? prostate cancer synonyms,

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Prostate cancer
Cancer - prostate. Definition Return to top. Prostate cancer is cancer that grows in prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that

Prostate cancer - definition from Biology-Online.org
Definition and other additional information on Prostate cancer from Biology-Online.org dictionary.

prostate cancer: Definition and Much More from Answers.com
More about Prostate Cancer: Causes and symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Alternative treatment Prevention Resources Prostate Cancer Definition Prostate.

Prostate cancer gene definition - Cancer Information (Cancers
Prostate cancer gene: One of the genes that influences the origin and/or progression of prostate cancer, cancer of the prostate gland. Prostate cancer genes

Prostate Cancer Home Page - National Cancer Institute
Definition of prostate cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of

Definition of prostate cancer - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer definition - Cancer Information (Cancers, Symptoms
Prostate cancer: An uncontrolled (malignant) growth of cells in the prostate gland which is located at the base of the urinary bladder and is responsible

Prostate Cancer - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Definition of Prostate Cancer; Causes and Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer; Symptoms of Prostate Cancer; Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer; Treatment of Prostate

Prostate Cancer - Definition, Description, Causes, Symptoms
Prostate cancer is a disease in which the cells of the prostate become abnormal. They start to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors.


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